SakéOne Launches SHEZEN: A Premium Fruit-Infused Saké Made With Real Fruit

SakéOne Launches SHEZEN: 

A Premium Fruit-Infused Saké Made With Real Fruit 

Seven-Generation Family Brewery from Nara Prefecture Partners With SakéOne to Bring Innovative Saké to U.S. Market 

Forest Grove, OR – SakéOne, America's pioneering craft saké brewer and importer of fine Japanese saké, announces its partnership with Kitaoka Honten to bring SHEZEN to the U.S. market, a revolutionary premium saké collection that blends traditional brewing methods with real fruit to create an entirely new drinking experience.

Kitaoka Honten, a seventh-generation saké brewery founded in 1868, is located in Yoshino within Japan's historic Nara Prefecture – known as the Birthplace of Modern Saké. The brewery has been perfecting the art of saké brewing for more than 150 years and sits in a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its temples, pilgrimage sites, and remarkable natural beauty.

"SHEZEN takes inspiration from 'Shizen,' the Japanese word for nature," explains Katsuhisa Takada. "Our location in this sacred landscape, where ancient brewing methods were first developed, provides the perfect backdrop for creating something truly special that honors both tradition and innovation." 

The meticulous production process of SHEZEN reflects the brewery's dedication to sustainability, quality and authenticity. Fruit is sourced that is not visually perfect for grocery retailers, saving it from going to waste. It is then washed, peeled, seeded, and either grated or diced entirely by hand. Finally, using advanced Joule heating sterilization, the natural flavor profiles and vibrant colors of each fruit are preserved.

The SHEZEN collection launches with five distinctive flavors: 

• SHEZEN Real Mango features mangoes, processed to deliver sweet, tropical flavors with rich, juicy character.
• SHEZEN Real Strawberry, made with fully ripened strawberries processed by hand, maintains its natural texture without being juiced, allowing drinkers to experience authentic strawberry character. 
• SHEZEN Real Peach celebrates Japanese white peaches in a creamy, nectar-like saké. Peaches are peeled, deseeded, and mashed to preserve their juice and rich flavor. 
• SHEZEN Real Shiso features shiso (perilla), an aromatic herb beloved in Japanese cuisine for centuries. High-quality shiso extract creates a smooth, refreshing drink that is both delicate and complex. 
• SHEZEN Real Kiwi sources fruit exclusively from Japan, offering a distinct flavor profile. The seeds and pulp are both utilized, creating a perfectly balanced sourness and sweetness. 

"We're honored to partner with Kitaoka Honten to bring something truly groundbreaking to American consumers," said Paul Englert, President at SakéOne. "SHEZEN isn't just another fruit-flavored beverage – it's authentic Japanese craftsmanship meets real fruit in a way that's never existed before. This is the kind of innovation that expands what saké can be, and it has so much potential as a standalone drink, in cocktails, in desserts – the possibilities seem endless!"

SHEZEN will be available starting in August 2025 with an SRP of $25.00 for 500mL. Y

About SakéOne

SakéOne is America's pioneering craft saké brewery, blending time-honored Japanese brewing techniques with innovative approaches to introduce premium saké to the U.S. market. Based in Forest Grove, Oregon, SakéOne is committed to producing high-quality, locally brewed saké for its Momokawa, Moonstone, g, Yomi and Naginata brands, and imports an exceptional selection of Japanese saké. 

About Kitaoka Honten

Founded in 1868, Kitaoka Honten is a seven-generation family brewery located in Yoshino, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Situated in the region known as the Birthplace of Modern Saké, the brewery has maintained traditional brewing methods for more than 150 years while continuously innovating to create unique products.